Cherwell

Cherwell's population grew in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure.

The population passed 140,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Cherwell increased by 7.7%, from almost 132,000 to 142,000.

The addition of about 10,000 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Cherwell was home to, on average, 1.7 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Cherwell

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Cherwell increased by three years, from 36 to 39 years.

This growing rural area had a slightly lower average age than the South East and had a similar age to the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 4,000 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 4,000.

About 10% of people in Cherwell are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Cherwell by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Cherwell

The percentage of Cherwell residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 6.4% to 6.5% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (2.9%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 2.3% in 2001. The percentage of Cherwell residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 91%.

The proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 6.8% in 2001 to 6.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 6.8% to 6.5%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Cherwell that rented privately increased from 10% to 16% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just under one in eight (12%) households lived in social housing, compared with 13% in 2001. The percentage of Cherwell households that owned their home decreased from 75% to 69%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 10% in 2001 to 16% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Cherwell increased by 6.1 percentage points

Percentage of households in Cherwell, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in Cherwell

The percentage of single people in Cherwell increased from 27% to 30% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just over one in two (52%) people aged 16 and over said they were married, compared with 55% in 2001. The percentage of adults in Cherwell that had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased from 11% to 12%.

The proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 29% in 2001 to 32% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 30% to 35%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was lower than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were single across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Cherwell residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 6.2% to 3.9% between the last two censuses.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (85%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 73% in 2001. The percentage of Cherwell residents that described their health as fair decreased from 21% to 11%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 7.2% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Cherwell decreased by 2.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Cherwell, the South East and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

↑ Back to the top

Area report data

Related links